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Veterans uniquely suited to starting companies
As a whole, people who are successful at starting their own companies share some characteristics. These traits include leadership, tenacity, flexibility and dedication. One group that tends to share these qualities is veterans. By virtue of their employment in the military, have been forced to cultivate them.
It therefore comes as little surprise that over three million businesses in the United States are veteran-owned. With their unique combination of skills and resources, many are finding that post-military entrepreneurship is the way to go.
One important support network is the National Veterans Small Business Collaboration. Every year, this organization hosts an event geared towards veteran-owned businesses. It connects them with government and private decision-makers who can guide them through the process of making a company. In addition, these conferences serve as excellent time for different business owners to network, engage and share tips.
In addition, both the Small Business Administration and the Department of Veteran Affairs have a wealth of information and material available to those that are interested. They can also help answer related questions, such as “how do I get a federal id?” and “what is the difference between a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and a corporation?“
There are also resources out there dedicated to particular groups of veterans. On the SBA website, for example, there are links to information pertaining to veterans with disabilities, Native American veterans, and female veterans who are looking to get into the entrepreneurial spirit. CorpCo happily supports V-Wise, a program “committed to women Veterans by providing them the tools to become successful entrepreneurs.”
We are also happy to be partnered with The Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University, which is the national headquarters for the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) program. EBV offers training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans with military service disabilities. It consists of a three-week online self-study, a nine-day residency period on the campus of one the eight partner colleges, and a year of mentorship with a faculty volunteer as participants launch their new ventures.
Graduates of this program are eligible for discounted or free incorporation services from CorpCo.
With these resources, veterans can get the business-specific skills they need to ensure success. Between that knowledge and the traits often inherent in those with a military background, they are well-poised to start successful businesses.